Game at Carrara Round 14

[Horace]

Just wondering how Saints fans feel about losing an away game against North in Round 14 at Carrara, which would otherwise be an away game at Telstra Dome.

We North supporters are pretty unhappy at the increasing push from the AFL, and it seems the North Board, for the club to relocate to the Gold Coast.

This game is a very good example of how not just North Melbourne fans are affected by a possible relocation. This is also impacting on your club and you as supporters next year, however in the event of a full relocation you can expect to have one less opportunity to watch your club live in Melbourne.

This on top of firstly the loss of games against the Swans in the 1980's, Fitzroy in the 1990's and now maybe North in the first decade of the 2000's. Which club will be the next domino to fall in the near future.

If you are unhappy about the Round 14 game and this trend in losing games in Melbourne, then lobby your club and maybe a call to North headquarters would not go astray. The AFL could do with a call or two.

This is just blatantly unfair to supporters of Melbourne based clubs, who are the heart and soul of the game.:thumbsd:

[Persevering Saint]

Sorry dude, but look: if North "supporters" could bother to sign up for a membership or go to a game, and the AFL could count on filling a stadium that held more than 10,000 in Queensland, we wouldn't be having this discussion. You reep what you sow (or what you don't bother to, in this case). I've got a soft spot for the Kangas organisation, because they have acheived so much despite having lacklustre supporters that don't ever put their money where their mouth is. I applaud the Kangas board and the organisation for their decision to go North, to a place where they might be more appreciated.

The whole argument that we'll miss out on seeing one more game just doesn't work for mine either. Firstly, it's a national comp, and that's good for everyone. Secondly, one less club in Victoria will be good for the clubs that stay - that sounds mercenary, but still. In the long term, the Kangas going North gives us more room for sponsors, members, etc - for the cost of maybe one game in Melbourne a year.

Finally, StKildonian probably won't complain about one more chance to see his beloved Sainters without having to travel down here, and I suspect he's not alone.

[sainter]

Wow, that's pretty harsh Persevering Saint.

You have to remember that they have a small supporter base to begin with. If you have a look at their supporter to member ratio they are close to the best in the competition.

You'd much rather an extra game in Victoria but I suppose I expected to play 6 interstate games so it's probably a bonus that it's against a team that is only partially based interstate rather than Adelaide at AAMI Stadium or particularly in Tasmania which for us means an automatic loss. From a selfish persective I generally try and get to one away game a season so I must say 4 or 5 days on the Gold Coast in the middle of the winter sounds very tempting.

Not sure if the Gold Coast is too close to Mackay either. ;) My brother is up on the Sunshine Coast these days so he'll be rapt to get an extra game.

Anyway best of luck Horace. Not sure what the future holds for the Roos but I hope whatever it is it's the best result for your supporters.

[Horace]

Sorry dude, but look: if North "supporters" could bother to sign up for a membership or go to a game, and the AFL could count on filling a stadium that held more than 10,000 in Queensland, we wouldn't be having this discussion. You reep what you sow (or what you don't bother to, in this case). I've got a soft spot for the Kangas organisation, because they have acheived so much despite having lacklustre supporters that don't ever put their money where their mouth is. I applaud the Kangas board and the organisation for their decision to go North, to a place where they might be more appreciated.

The whole argument that we'll miss out on seeing one more game just doesn't work for mine either. Firstly, it's a national comp, and that's good for everyone. Secondly, one less club in Victoria will be good for the clubs that stay - that sounds mercenary, but still. In the long term, the Kangas going North gives us more room for sponsors, members, etc - for the cost of maybe one game in Melbourne a year.

Finally, StKildonian probably won't complain about one more chance to see his beloved Sainters without having to travel down here, and I suspect he's not alone.I would imagine that the boot would be on the other foot if it was the Saints in our predicament. I would certainly be throwing some dollars the way of the St. Kilda Football Club if this was the case.

And remember this sunshine, don't think you are out of the firing line. The AFL will try to move at least one more club and if the cards don't fall your way sometime in the future when they are ready to ship someone out. it will be good bye Sainters. I rather suspect that the majority of your supporters will be severely disadvantaged should this happen.

Good luck to StKildonian though, another game for him to go to while the rest of you either pay a lot of dollars to go or sit at home and maybe watch it on free to air football. A well thought out argument on your part really.:confused:

And please do not throw the membership line at me. I paid for 8 of them in season 2007.

[Horace]

Wow, that's pretty harsh Persevering Saint.

You have to remember that they have a small supporter base to begin with. If you have a look at their supporter to member ratio they are close to the best in the competition.

You'd much rather an extra game in Victoria but I suppose I expected to play 6 interstate games so it's probably a bonus that it's against a team that is only partially based interstate rather than Adelaide at AAMI Stadium or particularly in Tasmania which for us means an automatic loss. From a selfish persective I generally try and get to one away game a season so I must say 4 or 5 days on the Gold Coast in the middle of the winter sounds very tempting.

Not sure if the Gold Coast is too close to Mackay either. ;) My brother is up on the Sunshine Coast these days so he'll be rapt to get an extra game.

Anyway best of luck Horace. Not sure what the future holds for the Roos but I hope whatever it is it's the best result for your supporters.Thanks Sainter. Your words are very much appreciated and I would think would be very much more the view of the majority of your supporters. :thumbsu:

[Kildonan]

I prefer to fly (if I can get those cheap flights) - my resilience after the 12 hour drive is getting so I need a recovery period to enjoy a match these days.